** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE NUTRITION BENCH-TO-COMMUNITY ENGAGED SCHOLARS IN TEXAS (NUTRITION BEST) REEU PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE AFRI FARM BILL PRIORITY AREAS OF FOOD SAFETY, NUTRITION AND HEALTH AND WILL TRAIN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN BASIC NUTRITION AND OBESITY RESEARCH OR COMMUNITY NUTRITION AND OBESITY PREVENTION, AS WELL AS DATA AND LITERATURE ANALYSES. WE HYPOTHESIZE THAT AN INTENSIVE INTEGRATED STUDENT EXPERIENCE WHICH ENCOMPASSES RESEARCH TRAINING AT TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY (TTU) AND ENHANCED BY SUMMER INTERNSHIPS WITH TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION WILL INCREASE STUDENT RETENTION IN FOOD SAFETY, NUTRITION AND HEALTH RELATED DEGREES AND CAREERS.OUR OBJECTIVES ARE TO (1) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT STRONG MENTORING, RESEARCH ETHICS AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMS; (2) ENGAGE STUDENTS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS FROM MAJORS AT TTU AND SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE IN IMPACTFUL RESEARCH AND INTEGRATED EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING THROUGH EXTENSION; AND (3) INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS WHO PURSUE GRADUATE EDUCATION OR CAREERS IN FOOD SAFETY, NUTRITION AND HEALTH. STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE TAILORED MENTORSHIP TO ENHANCE RETENTION AND SUCCESS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH ETHICS, AS WELL AS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GRADUATE SCHOOL AND CAREER OPTIONS SUPPORTED BY ENGAGING IN SEMINAR SERIES FEATURING PRESENTATIONS FROM EXPERTS/ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND TRAINING IN REEU-TARGETED AREAS OF FOODS, NUTRITION AND AGRICULTURE. OUR COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM WILL ACCOMPLISH REEU GOALS INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT AND GRADUATE ENROLLMENT IN FOODS AND NUTRITION.

Texas Tech University System

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